"Both our sons were born at Hillingdon, ..."

What I liked

Both our sons were born at Hillingdon, our 1st age 5 and our latest is 9 months. My latest was born with Down’s syndrome which has meant we have a lot of appointments and health checks at the hospital. We can honestly say that every Doctor, Nurse and even Reception/Admin Staff have we have seen have been exceptionally helpful and welcoming and have given us as much help and support that they can considering they are so busy and understaffed.

Unfortunately our view of the hospital was shattered on Sat 4th when we had to take our youngest to Paediatric Accident and Emergency and experienced a shocking incident were a hospital cleaner used a toilet brush to clean the SINK.

What could be improved

When we arrived in Paediatric Accident and Emergency the toilet had an out of order sing on the door. We over heard a nurse say it was out of order because it was in a bad way and needed cleaning. They called for the cleaner who arrived surprising fast but armed only with a few paper towels.

When she opened the door we could see the toilet, it looked like it had been blocked and had over flowed. The cleaner took the toilet brush and began brushing in and around the toilet in a feeble attempt to remove the toilet paper and faeces from the bowel. To our horror she then went over to the sink and started rinsing the brush under the tap. Then to top it all she started to wash the sink and taps with the brush, not at any time did she use hot water or any cleaning products.

"Remember this is in the Children’s A & E".

I asked her what she was doing and if she thought what she was doing was in any way extremely dangerous to everyone and she just ignored me and walked off.

I have followed this up with the Hospital and with the company that is responsible for the cleaning of Hillingdon Hospital (Sodexo). The hospital is investigating the incident and have so far been very helpful. Sodexo have said that the cleaner in question has been forced to retake a week’s training course at the hospital after that she can return to “cleaning” our hospital toilets.

Anything else?

For this reason I say avoid Hillingdon Hospital if you have the choice, if you don’t have a choice then just be vigilant and report anyone not cleaning properly or not washing there hands. The Hospital will respond and take action if we as patients and visitors let them know.